In a new collaboration with renowned early childhood higher education centre Norland in Bath, The Norland Foundation is funding a PhD investigating the impact of screen time in neurodivergent preschool children.
The generous donation of more than £105,000, spread over four years, will support a PhD student within the Department of Psychology’s Babylab.
The lab provides facilities for researchers to study what goes on in the minds of little ones, using specialist eye-tracking software and two-way mirrors to explore how young children see and interact with the world around them and the factors that influence their development.
This research is driving best practice recommendations, including Canadian government policies on paediatric screen time, and the UK’s National Childbirth Trust guidelines for parents and early years practitioners.
Principal of Norland, Dr Janet Rose, says: “We are delighted that The Norland Foundation is able to support this valuable work. Part of the Foundation’s mission is to promote the advancement of education in the early years, including supporting children with additional needs. This important and topical research will undoubtedly contribute to our growing understanding of the impact of digital technology and its special focus on neurodivergent children is of particular significance."
Dr Rose continues: “It also aligns perfectly with related research and activities previously funded by the Foundation. These include supporting the development of the Transforming Autism Project and a local ‘stay and play’ provision for children with special needs. We are hoping some of the findings will be published in the Norland Educare Research Journal, an initiative also funded by the Foundation.”
Professor Mark Brosnan, Head of the University’s Department of Psychology, says: “We are very grateful for this impactful gift, which will support research into the effects of screen time on neurodivergent pre-school children. With the rapid rise of childhood screen exposure and touchscreen devices enabling toddlers to watch and interact with digital media, it’s key that we understand the impacts at this crucial time in development so parents and carers can make informed decisions.”
This scholarship is part of Bath’s Research with Impact PhD programme, funded by generous philanthropic donations to support students over four years with a UKRI-pegged stipend and some study costs, while the University funds the fees.
Successful recipient of The Norland Foundation Research with Impact Scholarship, Abigail Bradley, will begin her studies in September 2024. She says: “I feel very privileged to receive this opportunity from The Norland Foundation and the University of Bath.
"This is a fascinating area of research that needs to be better understood for youth development around screens, so I'm grateful to be given this opportunity to dive into a topic I am so passionate about.”
About Norland
Founded in 1892 by education pioneer Emily Ward, Norland was the first educational establishment to offer any kind of childcare training and has been at the forefront of early childhood education and care ever since. Norland graduates, known as Norlanders or Norland Nannies, complete four years of theoretical and practical training to earn the Norland degree and practical diploma. They are employed worldwide through the Norland Agency as nannies and maternity nurses. A gold-standard early childhood higher education provider, Norland is committed to credible and ethical research that transforms the lives of children and their families. It is home to the world’s first research journal and centre dedicated to home-based early childhood education and care.
The Norland Foundation is a registered charity dedicated to advancing early years education for the public benefit and to promote social inclusion among children of early years age and their families/carers. Find out more about Norland.